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Designation: D6273 – 08

Standard Test Methods for


Natural Gas Odor Intensity1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6273; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope 3.1.2 olfactory fatigue, n—desensitization of the sense of


1.1 These test methods cover the procedures for determin- smell through either prolonged exposure or repeated exposure
ing the odor intensity of natural gas through the use of over a short period of time to an odor, a mixture of odors, or
instruments that dilute and mix the sampled natural gas with series of odors.
air. The mixed gas stream is then sniffed by the operator for the 3.1.3 sniff, vi—smell or snuff with short, audible inhala-
purpose of determining the threshold detection level or the tions.
readily detection level, or both, for odorant in the natural gas 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
stream. 3.2.1 high pressure, n—for the purpose of these test meth-
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the ods, high pressure refers to natural gas pressure greater than the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the maximum inlet pressure specified by the manufacturer of the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- gas dilution apparatus.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 3.2.2 intensity, n—the magnitude of odor perceived by the
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. operator.
3.2.3 low pressure, n—for the purpose of these test meth-
2. Referenced Documents ods, low pressure refers to natural gas pressure less than or
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 equal to the maximum inlet pressure specified by the manu-
D4150 Terminology Relating to Gaseous Fuels facturer of the gas dilution apparatus.
D5287 Practice for Automatic Sampling of Gaseous Fuels 3.2.4 operator(s), n—the person(s) performing the testing
E253 Terminology Relating to Sensory Evaluation of Ma- described in these test methods. Because of the nature of the
terials and Products testing described herein, the operator shall be qualified to
2.2 Other Standards perform this work (see 5.2).
49 CFR Part 192.625 Odorization of gas3 3.2.5 readily detectable level, n—the concentration of natu-
ral gas and odorant mixture in air which the operator is able to
3. Terminology detect and identify natural gas odor.
3.1 Definitions: 3.2.6 threshold detection level, n—the concentration of
3.1.1 odorant, n—sulfur-bearing compound that gives natu- natural gas and odorant mixture in air which the operator is
ral gas a distinctive odor. For the purpose of these test methods, barely able to detect an odor.
natural gas odorants may be compounds that are present at the 3.3 For definitions of terms related to natural gas that are
wellhead or commercial mixtures that are added to the gas used in these test methods, refer to Practice D5287.
stream, or both. 3.4 For definitions of terms related to olfactory testing that
are used in these test methods, refer to Terminology E253.
4. Significance and Use
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of Committee D03 on Gaseous
Fuels and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D03.05 on Determination of
4.1 Federal regulations (49 CFR Part 192.625) state: “A
Special Constituents of Gaseous Fuels. combustible gas in a distribution line must contain a natural
Current edition approved May 1, 2008. Published May 2008. Originally odorant or be odorized so that at a concentration in air of
approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D6273 – 98(2003). one-fifth of the lower explosive limit, the gas is readily
DOI: 10.1520/D6273-08.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or detectable by a person with a normal sense of smell.” These
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM regulations state further that “each operator shall conduct
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on periodic sampling of combustible gases to assure the proper
the ASTM website.
3
Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, DODSSP, Bldg. 4,
concentration of odorant in accordance with this section.”
Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5098, http:// Additionally, a number of states have enacted legislation that
www.dodssp.daps.mil. requires natural gas to be odorized so that it is detectable at

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D6273 – 08
concentrations less than one fifth of the lower explosive limit. 6.2.1 The gas dilution apparatus shall never be subjected to
See note Note 1. While regulations do not specify the exact natural gas pressures greater than that specified by the manu-
method for determining compliance, it has been documented facturer. Excessive natural gas pressure may result in instru-
that compliance testing must be olfactory in nature.4 ment failure and cause an excessive amount of gas to vent out
NOTE 1—For example, Massachusetts Section 192.625 MFS Standards
of the instrument.
requires that “... a concentration of fifteen hundredths of one percent gas 6.2.2 The regulator shall be a heated regulator when com-
in the air is readily perceptible to the normal or average olfactory senses pressed natural gas (CNG) is to be tested or when it is
of a person ... .” anticipated that liquid hydrocarbons may condense from the
4.2 These test methods cover procedures to measure the gas stream as a result of Joule-Thompson Expansion. Odorant
odor level of natural gas by way of olfactory determination. No compounds have a preference for liquid hydrocarbons when
direct correlation may be ascertained between these test present.
methods and those methods available or under development 6.3 Sample Line—The sample line shall be clean and
that quantitatively measure the concentration of sulfur com- consist of material that is inert to natural gas odorant com-
pounds in natural gas. pounds. Sample lines shall be tested periodically by perform-
4.3 These test methods outline general procedures to mea- ing a blank determination as specified in 9.1 and replaced as
sure the odor detection levels of natural gas. It is the respon- required. Rubber or copper tubing shall not be used. Appro-
sibility of persons using these test methods to develop and priate material for sample lines include stainless steel, alumi-
maintain equipment and specific operating procedures to en- num, urethane, PTFE, PVC, and PEK.
sure public safety and compliance with all appropriate regula- 6.4 Sample Probe—A stainless steel sample probe shall be
tions. used where appropriate to prevent the possibility of pipeline
contaminants from entering the sample stream. (See Section 6
5. Interferences and Precautions of Practice D5287 for specifics on sample probe construction
5.1 The location to be tested should be sheltered from wind and installation.)
and isolated from sources of interfering odors such as those
from certain industrial plants and landfills. The equipment and 7. Hazards
sampling lines used in testing shall be clean and free of odor.
5.2 Operators shall be trained to perform odor testing of 7.1 Because these test methods involve the sampling of
natural gas and in the proper use and care of test instrumenta- natural gas and the venting of a gas/air mixture, only qualified
tion. It is preferred that operators should be nonsmokers, or, if persons shall perform the testing described. These test methods
smokers, they shall not smoke for at least 30 min before shall not be performed near open flames. Failure to follow
performing the test. Additionally, operators shall not chew manufacturer’s instructions for the instrumentation used in
tobacco or gum or eat food of pungent taste or odor for at least these test methods may result in a hazardous condition.
30 min before performing the test. Operators should have no 7.2 These test methods shall never be performed at locations
cold, allergies, or other physical conditions that would affect that potentially contain sour gas. High concentrations of
their sense of smell. hydrogen sulfide can quickly poison the operator resulting in
5.3 Prolonged use of the sense of smell may result in death or permanent injury.
olfactory fatigue. Sufficient time shall be allotted between tests 7.3 Caution must be exercised in selecting appropriate
to ensure that the tester’s sense of smell is not adversely instrumentation used in application of this test method. Odor
affected by the previous test. intensity instrumentation should be operated and suited for the
intended use including suitability to area classification and
6. Apparatus measurement environment.
6.1 Gas Dilution Apparatus—This apparatus shall consist
of a gas inlet control valve, a gas/air mixing chamber, a sample 8. Sampling
port for sniffing the gas/air mixture, and a method to determine
8.1 Location:
the relative concentration of the gas/air mixture. All compo-
nents that come in contact with natural gas shall be inert to 8.1.1 The location shall be far enough from an odorizing
odorant compounds. station to ensure that the odorant is well mixed within the gas
6.2 Natural Gas Pressure Regulator(s)—This item may be stream.
required to lower the gas pressure at the sampling location to 8.1.2 In systems fed by more than one odorizer, test points
a level that is safe for the gas dilution apparatus as specified by shall be located to ensure that the odorant concentration
the manufacturer. This regulator may need to be a heated supplied by each individual odorizer is evaluated.
regulator if an extremely large pressure drop is required, for 8.1.3 In large systems, test points also shall be selected at or
example, when compressed natural gas or gas at transmission near the end of the system to ensure adequate odorant
line pressure is to be tested. More than one regulator may be concentration.
required to perform this function satisfactorily. 8.2 Frequency:
8.2.1 Sampling frequency shall be established in accordance
4
American Gas Association Operating Section Technical Note CAS-2-1-95, “
with applicable regulations and company policy.
Natural Gas Odorization: Compliance with Federal Regulations.” 8.3 Low-Pressure Sampling:

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D6273 – 08
8.3.1 In low-pressure sampling, the gas dilution apparatus is 10.2.5 If an odor is detected, allow the instrument to operate
connected directly to the gas source with the appropriate tubing for an additional 2 to 3 min, then repeat 10.2.4. If an odor is
as specified in 6.3. Connections shall be made to the appropri- still detected, perform a blank determination as specified in 9.1.
ate gas dilution apparatus port in accordance with the manu- 10.2.6 Slowly open the gas inlet valve. Periodically sniff the
facturer’s instructions. gas/air mixture at the apparatus exhaust. Breathe fresh air
8.4 High-Pressure Sampling: through the nose between sniffs of the gas-air mixture. Con-
8.4.1 In high-pressure sampling, a regulator is connected tinue until a faint odor is observed. Determine the gas in air
directly to the gas source with the appropriate tubing as concentration in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
specified in 6.3. This is the threshold detection level.
8.4.1.1 In addition to other precautions, the gas pressure 10.2.7 Continue to open the gas inlet valve. Periodically
should be taken into consideration when selecting the tubing sniff the gas/air mixture at the apparatus exhaust. Continue
that connects the gas source with the inlet of the regulator. until a readily detectable odor of gas is observed. Determine
Stainless steel shall be the only material used for this purpose the gas in air concentration in accordance with manufacturer’s
when the sampling source is CNG. instructions. This is the readily detectable level.
8.4.2 If a heated regulator is used, then the temperature shall 10.3 Odor Intensity Method:
be set high enough to prevent hydrocarbon condensation. 10.3.1 Ensure that the gas inlet valve on the gas dilution
NOTE 2—A regulator set temperature of 140°F (60°C) has been found apparatus is in the closed or “OFF” position.
to be adequate in most circumstances. 10.3.2 Connect the gas dilution apparatus to the natural gas
8.4.3 The tubing connection between the regulator outlet supply source in accordance with Section 8. Open the gas inlet
and the gas dilution apparatus shall be as specified in 8.3.1. valve to ensure that air is purged from the sample line. Close
the gas inlet valve.
9. Calibration and Maintenance 10.3.3 Turn the gas dilution apparatus power switch to the
9.1 Blank Determination—This test should be performed “ON” position.
every 30 days with each gas dilution apparatus. 10.3.4 Sniff at the apparatus exhaust. The nose shall be
9.1.1 The gas dilution apparatus shall not be connected to a approximately three fourths of an inch from the exhaust.
natural gas source. 10.3.5 If an odor is detected, allow the instrument to operate
9.1.2 Power on the apparatus and allow air to flow. for an additional 2 to 3 min, then repeat 10.3.4. If an odor is
9.1.3 Sniff at the apparatus exhaust. The nose shall be still detected, perform a blank determination as specified in 9.1.
approximately three fourths of an inch from the exhaust. 10.3.6 Slowly open the gas valve. Increase the gas flow
9.1.4 If an odor is detected, allow the instrument to operate through the gas dilution apparatus until the desired gas
for an additional 2 to 3 min, then repeat 9.1.3. If an odor is still concentration in air is achieved.
detected, return the instrument to the manufacturer for repair. 10.3.7 Sniff at the apparatus exhaust.
9.2 Other calibration and maintenance of the gas dilution 10.3.8 Rate the intensity of the odor as: (1) absent, (2)
apparatus shall be performed in accordance with the manufac- barely detectable, (3) readily detectable, (4) strong, or (5) very
turer’s instructions. strong or obnoxious.
10. Procedure NOTE 3—Other odor intensity rating terms may be used as appropriate.
10.1 These procedures may be performed by two persons. NOTE 4—If this test is performed independently of the odor concentra-
When this occurs, one person should operate the gas dilution tion method described in 10.2, then the threshold detection level should be
determined as outlined in 10.2.6 just before performing this test in order
apparatus’ operating valves and the other act as the observer.
that a comparative baseline is established by the operator.
10.2 Odor Concentration Method:
10.2.1 Ensure that the gas inlet valve on the gas dilution 11. Precision and Bias
apparatus is in the closed or “OFF” position.
10.2.2 Connect the gas dilution apparatus to the natural gas 11.1 Because the values obtained in these test methods are
supply source in accordance with Section 8. Open the gas inlet functions of individual sensitivities, interlaboratory tests can-
valve to ensure that air is purged from the sample line. Close not be interpreted statistically in the usual way, and a general
the gas inlet valve. statement regarding precision and bias cannot be made.
10.2.3 Turn the gas dilution apparatus power switch to the
“ON” position. 12. Keywords
10.2.4 Sniff at the apparatus exhaust. The nose shall be 12.1 compressed natural gas (CNG); natural gas; odor;
approximately three fourths of an inch from the exhaust. odorant; sensory evaluation

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D6273 – 08
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